AZ Unemployment Steady; Const. Gains 1,700

Arizona’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held in July at 5.1 percent, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

The national rate dropped from 4.4 percent in June to 4.3 in July.

The state had a net loss of 20,900 non-farm jobs over the month. Most of the losses came in Government, which shed 11,500. Seven of the 11 sectors tracked reported losses.

Construction statewide gained 1,700, and the sector maintains a net gain of 2,400 for the year. Total Arizona Construction jobs for the year-to-date stand at 140,100.

The Construction sector features three major segments: Buildings, Heavy, and Specialty Trades. There are currently 25,800 jobs in Buildings, up 500 from June and down 1,100 from July of last year. Heavy Construction is up 100 for the month with a total of 16,400, which is up 500 from last July. Specialty Trades gained 1,100 over the month to 97,900, and the segment has increased 3,000 over the year.

Construction jobs in the Phoenix Metro Area (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale) gained 2,100 over the month, for a total of 111,100. The July 2016 number was 107,300.

Construction jobs in Metro Tucson fell 100 to 14,800, which is the down 300 from last July.